Benz_G

I have a 2011 E550 and the main battery needs replacing. The dealership is asking around $350 to change it out.

Are there any recommended batteries I should look for outside of the dealership? Any cons with going with a non dealer battery?

hillcreative

You own a Mercedes-Benz.... what's the big deal??

HakonLykaas

A Mercedes Benz will always be a Mercedes, all other cars are just that, cars..... ;-)

pca7ggr

And a battery is just a battery.

Last time I checked, MB doesn't make their own batteries. As such they source them for the 2-3 battery manufactures and slap on a MB ticker on it. You pay quite a premium for the sticker.

When it comes to batteries, its all about CCA (cold cranking amps) and the warranty. Based upon these two factors, I've found the Wally Mao is a good source. If you take you car to one of their stores, they will test you existing battery for free and, if you need a new one, they will install one for free as well. Or you can do what I do, and just bring in your old battery, have it tested and "cash n carry" the new battery if one is needed.

I just replaced the battery of my GT3 with a Wally Mao DuraLast H8 (900CCA). Pretty straight forward DIY and the car did not reject the battery.

oldmots

I recently replaced my battery with an Advance Auto brand battery, an H7 AGM battery. About $200. Be careful about the size, there are different ones for different body styles. This will be a better battery than the original.

tdpthagenius

I am having to do the same thing, however, my dad says the dealership has to do some type of programming after the battery is changed out...is this true? or can i just install a new battery myself like any other car?

konigstiger

No programming, see attachment.

tdpthagenius

Thanks!!!

tdpthagenius

I have one more question...does it have to be AGM? Wally has one for $128 buy it's not AGM...

konigstiger

If it were me, AGM.

tdpthagenius

Agm it is then! Thanks!

pca7ggr

According to Rob Siegel's "Guide to European Automotive Electrical Systems"

Johnson Controls makes batteries labeled as Diehard (Sears), Kirkland (Costco), Duralast (AutoZone), AC Delco, Interstate, Walmart, Advanced Auto Parts, and more, and also owns Optima. East Penn Manufacturing (Duracell, Deka & MK)and Exide also produce batteries labeled with their own labels well as private labels. In addition Odyssey reportedly makes the AGM labeled as Diehard Platinum.

Great book published by Bentley - got it for Xmas.

oldmots

Just for clarity sake, battery labels don't always show where a battery came from. For example, Pep Boys sells batteries made by different manufacturers, depending on the type. A type 49 H8 from them used to be made by Varta, now made by Bosch. The more mundane, non-remote vented types are made by different companies. The H7 used in the E550 Coupe (The E550 sedan uses an H8) is pretty specialized and low volume, comes from a different place than the 24 batteries. The AGMs are also different manufacturers from the standard batteries in some cases.